Messi announces retirement from Argentina national team

Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to ​World Cup victory in 2022 ‌and the final in 2026, said on Monday in a post on Instagram ​that he would be leaving ​Argentina's national team. "It was a decision ⁠that hurt — and still hurts deep ​down — but I understand that the ​time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all — ​not just in these last few ​years when we won everything, but before that ‌too; ⁠I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and ​make you ​feel proud ⁠to be Argentine through football," the 39-year-old posted on ​Instagram.         View this post on Instagram                       "I leave with the peace ​of ⁠mind and pride of having given you — alongside my teammates — moments we ⁠once ​only dreamed of," he ​added. Messi's contract with Major League Soccer club Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2028 season.